Daily Archives: August 8, 2009

I became a member of the Idiot Club long after the seats to the NYC secret shows had already come and gone. I missed the first round of pre-sales, mostly because I felt like a schmuck being a johnny-come-lately. But when, after a few months as a member ($20 mostly well-spent), Green Day made an additional batch of tickets available through the fan club for Hartford, Albany, and the second MSG, I had some thinking to do. Which of these shows would I go to? The second MSG was a given, and in fact, I already had my ticket to Albany. My real dilemma: whether to add to the three shows I was already lucky enough to attend the XL Center Hartford show on Friday, July 24. I decided against it as I was already pushing my luck.

From reading fans on the Internet, I had a feeling that this show would have an extra special something just by the enthusiasm of the crowd. These guys were die-hard, hardcore fans and the great majority of them that ended up in GA that night knew Green Day from at least back to the 18-year old album, 1,039/Smoothed Out Slappy Hours. From the setlist (posted below) to the few videos out there of the show, this one seems to have had something extra special: “Welcome to Paradise” (Kerplunk!/Dookie), “Dominated Love Slave” (Kerplunk!), “Only of You” (1,039/Smoothed Out Slappy Hours), “Christie Road” (Kerplunk!), and most especially, to me, Dookie’s, “F.O.D.” (Fuck Off and Die). This song was completely spurred by a demand from the audience, and in this video, the chant “F.O.D.,” “F.O.D.” makes a strong case for playing it. The video of it gets me excited and makes me laugh at the same time.

As recorded, the song starts out rather quietly and timid, and in the middle, breaks out into dance havoc. This video perfectly captures the 180 degree turn that this song makes during its progression. Billie and the band get so into it toward the end, that Billie almost… almost… attempts a Pete Townsend whirlwind guitar arm.

Ah yes, I’ve been lucky so far this tour, but I will always regret not getting my ass to Hartford.

“Before the Lobotomy” is one of my favorite songs from Green Day’s 21st Century Breakdown. This video, like the one I linked to for Washington’s “Welcome to Paradise,” is filmed from the higher seats but at stage left instead of stage right this time. It gives the same sort of perspective, has lovely views of Tré and Mike, and is a bit steadier on the filming techniques.

The dynamic of the entirety of Green Day is a well-oiled machine, and these videos from above nicely show how they work together, even if BJA is usually the focal point. There’s a BJ Storytime at the beginning for your enjoyment, too.